A RECOVERY FOR ALL OF US: MAYOR DE BLASIO, CHANCELLOR PORTER, DYCD COMMISSIONER CHONG ANNOUNCE INNOVATIVE SUMMER RISING PLAN

 

Summer Rising will provide hands-on academic support & enrichment opportunities as well as critical childcare services  

   

 Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter and Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Bill Chong today announced Summer Rising, the City’s free, summer plan for any child in grades K-12 who wants to participate. For the first time ever, the City will use the Community Schools strategy to integrate the New York City Department of Education’s (NYCDOE’s) academic supports and DYCD’s school-based enrichment programming to create a comprehensive summer program during the most critical summer for New York City students. Summer Rising will be student-centered, experiential, academically rigorous and culturally responsive and sustaining.  

  

Applications for in-person K-8 programs will open on Monday, April 26, and families can sign up through the discover DYCD website. Kindergarten and elementary school students will participate in a five-day a week program for seven weeks, providing critical childcare services for families as they return to the workplace. Students with 12-month IEPs will participate in a five-day a week program for six weeks. Middle school students will participate in a four-day a week program for six weeks, and high school students will participate in a five week program with tailored scheduling to meet their needs. In addition, high school students will have the opportunity to engage in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and participate in the Public Schools Athletic League. Schools will begin outreach to families of high school students in the coming weeks to confirm participation. Students attending for promotion purposes will be in the same program as students participating for enrichment.

     

“Our kids have been through so much, and they need our support as we build a recovery for all of us,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This is a free program for all New York City students, combining academics and cultural enrichment for the best summer yet.”

 

“This summer is pivotal for our school communities, and we have created a summer experience unlike anything we have ever done before to bring our students back stronger than ever. Summer Rising will be a holistic experience that combines the power of strong academic supports, social emotional learning and enrichment programming,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “Through this innovative partnership with DYCD and our trusted community partners, and thanks to our heroic principals, teachers and staff, we’ll be able to serve any New York City student who wants to attend in-person so they can receive the comprehensive supports they need during this critical time.”

   

“Summer Rising is truly the best of both worlds: bringing together for the first time the strengths of DYCD-funded summer enrichment initiatives and DOE’s academic programs into a singular experience for young people, particularly those from communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. DYCD and our network of community providers are excited to join DOE in keeping classrooms open this summer for safe learning, childcare, connection, and fun,” said DYCD Commissioner Bill Chong.  

  

Summer Rising will address immediate academic and social emotional needs of children and youth across the City. Planned and operated collaboratively by school principals and trusted community-based organizations (CBOs), programs for students in grades K-8 will be available citywide including tailored support for those who need academic support and students with disabilities. These programs will provide a bridge to next school year and allow students to re-connect with one another and with their schools, to ensure continued learning, and provide avenues for recreation, exploration, and fun. High school students will have access to academic and social emotional supports designed locally to meet the unique needs of older students.  

  

Summer locations will be available in every borough, with nearly half of all DOE school buildings serving students citywide. All programs will follow rigorous health and safety protocols and have access to testing, nursing support and a telehealth call center. In addition, Situation Room policies and protocols will be followed.  

  

All K-8 students participating in programs will have access to academic classes, enrichment programming including field trips, arts activities and outdoor recreation, and will engage in daily social emotional learning activities.    

  

All programs will be free, in-person, and run in four time frames:  

  

* Students in grades K-5 will participate in summer programming from July 6 to August 20. Students will engage five days a week, receiving academic support, engaging in social emotional learning activities, and participating in enrichment programming.  

* Students with 12-month IEP services will participate in summer programming from July 2 to August 13, five days a week. They will receive instruction and related services based on their IEPs, as well as enrichment programming. 

* Students in grades 6-8 will participate in summer programming from July 6 to August 12. Students will engage four days a week, receiving academic support, engaging in social emotional learning activities, and participating in enrichment programming.

* Students in grades 9-12 who have a Course in Progress, or who need to retake a course they failed in a prior term, will participate in academic instruction from July 6 to August 13. High school students will also have the opportunity to accelerate learning, and access social emotional supports and arts programming. Similar to prior years, high school students will continue to have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).  

  

There will be remote programming available for interested families whose children are mandated for summer learning or have a 12-month IEP. Program offerings for high school students will depend on school community need and may include a mix of in-person and remote options. 

 

Consistent with years prior, schools will notify families by June if their student is required to participate in summer learning and will share additional details with families about how they can enroll. These students will participate together in the same Summer Rising programs as those students not mandated to attend.

 

In line with previous policy and practice, grade promotion decisions are based on a holistic review of a student's progress toward meeting the standards for their grade level. Teachers will review multiple pieces of student work in English language arts and math to make these decisions. State test scores will not be a factor in whether a student is promoted. If a school requires a student to attend summer learning, their promotion to the next grade is contingent on demonstrating sufficient progress in their summer learning.   

"Our students have suffered tremendously since the pandemic started, particularly those in communities hardest hit by Covid-19 and they will need support to successfully rebound. The Summer Rising program will provide them with the academic, social and emotional support they need to be ready for school in September while also having fun. The Council is proud to support this initiative and will continue fighting for the support and services our students need to thrive," said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.  

 

“Successful implementation of the community schools strategy has showed us what is possible when schools and Community Based Organizations partner together in meaningful ways,” said Christopher Caruso, Senior Executive Director for  the DOE’s Office of Community Schools. “Summer Rising will capitalize on this strategy at unprecedented scale and is a great step forward for our City’s children and families as we recover from the pandemic.”

 

"Children deserve engaging programs that affirm their identities and offer joyful learning. Summer Rising will allow schools and nonprofits to partner and offer a blend of enrichment and acceleration to make this a great summer,” said Saskia Trail, President and CEO, ExpandED Schools.

 

“Our experience last summer with Recovery Lab affirmed what we have always known -- that combining academic and social emotional supports for children and youth is key. As an organization that is both a direct service provider and a capacity builder, Children's Aid is excited about the opportunity that Summer Rising presents to not only support New York City's students through the summer and into the new school year, but to bring about new ways for schools and communities to work together.  We are encouraged to see community-based organizations lifted up as crucial partners of the educational continuum as we continue to heal as a city. We stand ready as collaborators on the planning and implementation of this effort and are hopeful to see this level of partnership become the norm going forward,” said Phoebe Boyer, President and CEO, Children’s Aid.

 

Butler Memorial United Methodist Church Food Giveaway in collaboration with Senator Jamaal T. Bailey

 

Hello Neighbor, Kindly bring a large Heavy-Duty bag and Cart for produce. We hope to see you there!

Bronx Board of Elections Rank Choice Voting Count in the 11th and 15th City Council Districts

Tables were set up at the Bronx Board of Elections for the Rank Choice Voting redistribution of votes if no candidate won over fifty percent of the vote. 

The 11th Council District tables in the background in blue, and the red tables were for the 15th council district. Bins were set out with the candidate names on them, including two bins one marked write in, and the other marked exhausted (for ballots that were void, or when it got to the next round of RCV no longer had a candidate that was not eliminated). 

In the first two days the ballots were separated by candidate, and by each election district in each assembly district. Tally sheets were also made up for each election district in every assembly district in the election. The absentee ballots were added into the election day totals, and in the 11th council district candidate Eric Dinowitz went from 42% to 48% cementing a victory in the 11th City Council. In the 15th council race after the absentee ballots were distributed the leading candidate Oswald Feliz went from 28% to 27%, while second place candidate Ischia Bravo went from 21% to 22%, with third place candidate John Sanchez going up to 21% for a total of 70% of the vote between these three candidates with very little chance of any of the three candidates being able to declare victory until the third place candidate is eliminated.

In the 15th Council District on day two the 12 write in votes were redistributed, with half being exhausted for not having any other candidate listed. That process took over a half hour because every tally sheet had to be adjusted for write in candidates or marked zero for none. The process then began for the tenth place candidate Mr. Ariel Diaz which took over one hour. The ninth place candidate Jose Padilla Jr. was eliminated and his votes had to be redistributed or exhausted ending the RCV process for day two. While there were only about 4,000 votes cast in the 15th district or ten candidates, in the 11th district there were about 9,000 votes cast for only six candidates. 

 You can see the bins with votes in them, and the bins on top of the three leading candidates expected to be needed for votes to be placed in them during the rounds of RCV in the 15th council district.

Here you can see the group of tally sheets that have to be filled out for each Election District for each candidate, and some of the votes to be redistributed carefully not showing any candidates name of where the vote went.

A confident candidate Oswald Feliz who has a slight lead over candidates Ischia Bravo and John Sanchez in the 15th council district before any votes were redistributed.

We should know in a few days if candidate Feliz is indeed the winner or if candidate Bravo or candidate Sanchez pull out a victory in Rank Choice Voting.

Protest at Con Edison building on Grand Concourse by Former Congressional candidate Samelys Lopez and 14th City Council Candidate Adolfo Abreau

 

Saturday across from where the Bronx Board of Elections started to do the Rank Choice Voting close to one-hundred people came to protest the monopoly on electricity that Con Edison still has as the only distributor of gas and electricity. You may be buying the gas or electricity from another company, but it is Con Edison who brings it to your house through their gas and electric line. Con Ed has also not looked at non-fossil fueled power plants.

The organizers seemed to be former congressional candidate Samelys Lopez and 14th City Council candidate Adolfo Abreau. The attention seemed to be focused on Ms. Lopez who was on the bullhorn, and interviewed later. I could not ask Ms. Lopez if she was planning another run for Congress. against Congressman Ritchie Torres, or if she was looking at the 78th Assembly District where she was Vice-Chair of Community Board 7. 

Ms. Lopez on the Bullhorn rallying the crowd.

Ms. Lopez being interviewed. 

Former Bridgeport Police Chief Sentenced To Prison For Scheme To Rig City’s Police Chief Search

 

 Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Acting Under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515, announced that ARMANDO J. PEREZ, the former Chief of Police of the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut (the “City”), was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for participating in a scheme to defraud the City by rigging the 2018 police chief examination in order to ensure he would be selected for the position, and to making false statements to federal agents in the course of the investigation.  PEREZ previously pled guilty in Bridgeport federal court on October 5, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley, who also imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Former Chief Perez schemed to rig the search for a permanent police chief to ensure the position was awarded to him, and then he repeatedly lied to federal agents in order to conceal his conduct.  Today’s sentence sends a strong message that public officials will be held accountable when they corruptly put their own self-interest above their duties to faithfully serve their citizens.”   

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint, the Information, other court filings, statements made during court proceedings, and publicly available information:

The Scheme to Rig the City of Bridgeport’s Police Chief Exam

In or about 2018, PEREZ participated in a criminal scheme to rig the City’s search for a new Bridgeport Police Department (“BPD”) chief in 2018.  During the course of this scheme, PEREZ – who was serving as the acting BPD chief at the time – conspired with David Dunn, who was at that time the City’s acting personnel director, to deceive the City by secretly rigging the supposedly independent search process for a new BPD chief to ensure that PEREZ was ranked as one of the top three candidates and could therefore be awarded a five-year contract to serve as the BPD chief.

More specifically, in or about February 2018, the City commenced a search to fill the position of permanent Chief of Police.  Under the City’s Charter, the City was required to conduct an “open and competitive examination” to determine the top three scoring candidates for the position, from which the mayor could then choose.  Dunn, in his role as the personnel director, oversaw the police chief examination process, and retained an outside consultant (“Consultant-1”) to assist with developing and carrying out the exam.  PEREZ and Dunn then manipulated that examination process in multiple ways:  Dunn stole confidential examination questions and related information developed by Consultant-1, and provided those materials to PEREZ, including by email; Dunn had Consultant-1 tailor the examination scoring criteria to favor PEREZ; PEREZ enlisted two BPD officers to secretly draft and write PEREZ’s written exam; and Dunn attempted to influence a panelist, tasked with ranking the candidates in the last stage of the exam, to ensure that PEREZ was scored as one of the top three candidates. 

As a result of the scheme, the City was deceived into ranking PEREZ among the top three candidates, which rendered him eligible for the permanent police chief position.  The mayor ultimately offered the position to PEREZ, and the City, under the assurance that PEREZ had been appointed in accordance with the City Charter, entered into a five-year contract with PEREZ, the terms of which included a payout to PEREZ for accrued leave.

PEREZ’s False Statements

PEREZ was voluntarily interviewed in connection with the FBI’s investigation.  In an attempt to conceal his conduct, during those interviews he lied to FBI agents about facts material to the criminal investigation.  PEREZ provided false and misleading information about the assistance Dunn and others had provided him in connection with the examination process, including his requests to a BPD officer to sneak into headquarters to retrieve stolen confidential information provided by Dunn. 

In addition to the prison term, PEREZ, 64, of Trumbull, Connecticut, was sentenced to two years of supervised release, a fine in the amount of $7,500, and restitution of $299,407. 

On October 5, 2020, Dunn pled guilty to his participation in the scheme to rig the City’s police chief search and to making false statements to federal investigators, and is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Dooley tomorrow.              

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the FBI and the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic April 11, 2021

 

Hospitalizations Drop to 4,083—Lowest Since December 2

877 Patients in the ICU; 577 Intubated

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.99%

New York City 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 3.58%—Lowest Since December 1

Long Island 7-Day Average Positivity Rate Drops to 3.93%—Lowest Since November 30

53 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitalizations dropped to 4,083, the lowest since December 2. New York City's 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.58 percent, the lowest since December 1. Long Island's 7-day average positivity rate dropped to 3.93 percent, the lowest since November 30.  

"New York is moving forward fighting the COVID-19 pandemic as we expand eligibility for the vaccine and open pop-up sites to serve the communities hardest hit by the virus across the state. The pandemic isn't over, and New Yorkers need to continue practicing safe behaviors and following the public health guidance as we work toward a brighter future," Governor Cuomo said. "We know that washing hands, wearing masks and staying socially distanced make all the difference in our ability to slow the spread, and residents should keep those behaviors front and center. I know this has been a long year and that COVID fatigue has set in, but with patience and commitment we can make progress and defeat this beast once and for all."

Today's data is summarized briefly below: 

• Test Results Reported - 226,048
• Total Positive - 6,764
• Percent Positive - 2.99%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.27%
• Patient Hospitalization - 4,083 (-158)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -290
• Patients Newly Admitted - 479
• Hospital Counties - 54
• Number ICU - 877 (-5)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 577 (-8)
• Total Discharges - 167,582 (+549)
• Deaths - 53
• Total Deaths - 41,139

 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State Vaccination Program- April 11, 2021

 

189,820 Doses Administered in the Last 24 Hours

Nearly 1.5 Million Doses Administered Over Past Seven Days

Nearly 1 in 4 New Yorkers Are Now Fully Vaccinated

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's vaccination program. 189,820 doses have been administered across the state's vast distribution network in the last 24 hours, and nearly 1.5 million doses have been administered over the past seven days. The week 17 allocation of 1,727,225 first and second doses, New York's highest allocation to date, is expected to finish arriving today.         

"While we remain in a footrace against the infection rate, we know the vaccine works and are making steady progress in getting more New Yorkers vaccinated," Governor Cuomo said. "I urge everyone who has not yet signed up for an appointment to do so. Our providers are working around the clock to get shots into arms, and getting vaccinated is how you can show your support for them and for your community."   

New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.                                           

The 'Am I Eligible' screening tool has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

• Doctor's letter, or
• Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
• Signed certification             

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11 AM today is as follows.                                         

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

Total doses administered - 11,858,991

Total doses administered over past 24 hours - 189,820

Total doses administered over past 7 days - 1,496,254

Percent of New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 37.4%

Percent of New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 24.4%   

BRONX DA DARCEL D. CLARK RELEASES REPORT ON FATAL SHOOTINGS OF ANTONIO WILLIAMS AND NYPD DETECTIVE BRIAN MULKEEN

 

69-Page Report Outlines Public Integrity Bureau’s Investigation and Findings; Body-Worn Camera Videos Released 

 Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today released the report on the investigation into the fatal shootings of Antonio Williams and NYPD Detective Brian Mulkeen during a gun-stop encounter in the Edenwald area of the Bronx on September 29, 2019, as well as video of the shootings and the events leading up to them. 

 The investigation found that during a struggle, Detective Mulkeen shot Mr. Williams to death, and in the moments that followed, at least one fellow member of the New York City Police Department shot and killed Detective Mulkeen.

 The investigation found that Mr. Williams was in possession of a loaded firearm during a lawful stop and it did not find criminal conduct in the use of deadly physical force by the officers involved. However, the loss of life here presents serious concerns about the NYPD’s use of force, defensive tactics and tactical trainings in their interactions with the public and incidents of “friendly fire.” 

 District Attorney Clark said, “This was a singular tragedy that unfolded in seconds and left two men dead and two families with a lifetime of sorrow. It stemmed from the proliferation of guns and gun violence. Detective Mulkeen was dedicated to getting firearms off the streets of the Bronx.

 “I send my condolences to the loved ones and friends of the two deceased young men, whom deserved a thorough, transparent investigation into facts leading up to their deaths. We are releasing the report as well as video footage from the officers’ body worn cameras to provide the public with as much information as possible, because transparency is paramount in keeping the community’s trust. By releasing this report, we are sharing the intricate steps that we took tofollow the evidence wherever it led. I will continue to build on community engagement and transparency by exploring the formation of a community advisory committee and publishing more detailed information on our website to explain the policies and protocols of our investigations into the matters involving police accountability. I would welcome an additional review mechanism, like the Office of the New York State Attorney General or an independent prosecutor, to examine the conclusions of my Office’s investigations when no criminal charges are brought

 “We must work in unison to end the scourge of gun violence. As we examine the report during this somber moment, let us come together in a call to action.”

 District Attorney Clark and the Public Integrity Bureau met with Mr. Williams’ family and their advocates as well as with Detective Mulkeen’s family to inform them of the findings. The timeline for completing this investigation was significantly impacted by COVID-19. The Public Integrity Bureau exercised maximum effort and care by being as thorough as possible to bring facts to light.